The Dinosaur Museum News

New research from a joint Belgian and German team is revealing new ideas into how some bipedal dinosaurs moved. By studying ostriches and then computer modelling their movement, comparisons can be made with dinosaurs. Ostriches are flightless but their feathered forelimbs are not solely for display. The limbs are used in movement to help the giant bird break quickly, turn and zig-zag. Birds are descended from dinosaurs, and the dinosaurs’ small forelimbs could have been used in a similar way.

It had always been supposed that the short forelimbs of dinosaurs were used for ripping flesh from prey or for catching small prey such as insects and small mammals. This new research suggests that the forelimbs were also used to assist with balance, speed and agility.

A new report details how researchers have found gnawing teeth marks on the bones of Cretaceous dinosaurs and marine reptiles. The dinosaur femur and rib bones demonstrate opposing pairs of teeth marks which would indicate that they belonged to a group of rodent-like mammals. Continue Reading…

The skull and horns of a new species of ceratopsian dinosaur has been discovered in Mexico. The complete horns have not been found but scientists estimate they would be over 1.2 metres in length, that is longer than any other dinosaur horns known. The dinosaur has been named Coahuilaceratops magnacuerna, and would have been similar to Triceratops with a horn above each eye, and a much shorter snout horn.  Continue Reading…

The new predator, a relative of the crocodile, lived 238 million years ago in the Triassic period at the dawn of the age of the dinosaurs. It roamed what is now Brazil and was up to 6.6 metres long and weighed 400kg. The animal has been named Pretosuchus chiniquensis. It was a plant eater and its remains were discovered in sedimentary rock which many millions of years ago was a lake. Continue Reading…

The dinosaur that lived 185 million years ago during the Jurassic period has been named Seitaad ruessi, which is derived from a Navajo word. It was a plant-eating prosauropod and could have been buried alive by a sand dune. The skeleton was first discovered in 2004 and subsequently excavated in 2005. Seitaad would have been about 1 metre tall at the hips and up to 4.5 metres long. Continue Reading…

Scientists studying fossils and minerals from the Artic Svalbard of Norway believe that a sudden drop in sea temperatures during the Cretaceous period was a contributory factor to the extinction of the dinosaurs. Around 137 million years ago sea temperatures dropped by an amazing 9C (16F). Continue Reading…

The sister of a palaeontologist discovered the remains of Magyarosaurus dacus in 1895 in Transylvania. The palaeontologist believed that the sauropod, which was only the size of a horse, was in fact a dwarf dinosaur. Now a team of scientists have analysed these bones in detail and discovered that this original supposition is true. Sauropod dinosaurs like humans completely rebuild their skeletons by the time they reach adulthood. Continue Reading…

Two new books on the world famous Jurassic Coast will have everyone out and about exploring the beauty and wonders of the 95 miles of fabulous coastline. Robert Westwood is the author of both books that feature up to 20 walks and over 100 photographs and illustrations covering this stunning geologically unique area. On Thursday 3rd June between 11am and 1pm Robert Westwood will be signing copies of both books in the award winning Dinosaur Museum. Continue Reading…

The jawbone of a new type of pterodactyl has been discovered in Texas. It has been named Aetodactylus halli. It would have soured over the large inland sea that was covering that part of the world in the mid Cretaceous. The jawbone is 95 million years old and is 38cm long with only 2 of the 54 teeth remaining in place. The jaw is thin and delicate with a maximum thickness of about 1cm. Continue Reading…

Two new discoveries of the feathered dinosaur Similicaudipteryx have shown dramatic changes in the plumage that could only mean that the dinosaur moulted as it grew.  Both of these well-preserved specimens are juveniles but of differing ages. In the larger and therefore older of the two fossils the long feathers on the tail and forelimbs are very similar to modern day birds. Continue Reading…